Combination water softener and heater with reverse flush



W. J. TOWLES Aug. 3, T 1 944.

COMBINATION WATER SOFTENER AND HEATER WITH REVERSE FLUSH Filed July 15 Ila-.5

INVENTO'R;

WILL/AM J. Towuzs, ,0439%.

J 7 4 a zlv "Mm 2 a m 2 M6 Patented Aug. 8, 1944 7 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COltIBINATION WATER SOFTENER AND HEATER WITH REVERSE FLUSH William J. Towles, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to himself and Donate F.

Calif.

Sisto, Los M86 Application July 15, 1942, Serial No. 451,005

7 Claims. (01.122-16) Another object is to provide a water heater' with an easily removable and exchangeable water-softening apparatus.

Another object is to provide a water heater of such a type whereby a heating element of a commonly-known heat-spreader may be used advantageously.

Another object is to design and arrange the individual parts and the whole softening apparatus so that such parts or the whole apparatus may be removed or exchanged without difliculty from the water heater; particularly without otherwise affecting the water heater as such.

Other objects will appear from the following description and appended claims as well as from the accompanying drawing, in which- Fig. 1 is a vertical midsectional view of acom- Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail vertical section of .a slightly modified form of pipe support.

Fig. 3 is another modified form of such support. Fig. 4 is still another modified form of support. Fig. 5 is still another modified form of support.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross section on line 6-6 of Fig. 1, of the supporting-ring within the casing.

It is a simple fact that devices commonly known as heat Spreaders" are very cheap to manufacture, on the one hand, and, as a general rule, quite easily and simply applied to the average water heater, such as are in common use in households.

At times, the preferred material for coils is dimcult to obtain; while material for the soas should be evident from the following description.

Having indicated at I a common gas burner for supplying the heat; from the above, it should be understood that other heating facilities can easily and with equal efiiciency be substituted.

For a thermostat, also, any type, easily to be had on the open market, or easily manufactured,

may be applied in its proper place, not necessarily at the pointindicated at 2 in the drawing, nevertheless to act. co-operatively at 3 or at other suitable points with reference to any eventually used heating device.

The eventually selected type 'of heat spreader 4 is then co-operatively, or suitably, arranged to properly serve in this present case.

As illustrated, the heat spreader 4 has a communicating connection 5 with the inside of the shell 6 of the water heater for its water intake, and an outlet connection at 1. The outletconne'ction, in this case, is preferably in form of a heating element 8, extending upwardly to discharge by another connection at 9 through the wall of the flue 10 into the upper part of the water heater compartment.

Thisheating element 8 is advantageously disposed within the gas exhaust flue l0, whereby the products of combustion from the burner I pass around the whole length of the heating element 8 before such products pass out of the flue Ill.

The exhaust flue I0, and therewith the heating 1 element 8 are preferably arranged in the inclined called common heat spreaders may be quite readily obtainable.

The herewith submitted combination water heater and softener is of such a construction and arrangement that either of the two above-named heating eiements may be used with equal elliciency. This also allowing the use of other similarly app icable devices, such as electric heating elements; as should easily be understood without advantageously intercooperating with other parts,

position as illustrated, to thereby let the products of combustion be retarded in their movement upwardly. It should be understood that the exhaust flue I0 may be comparatively narrow while the heating element 8 may be rather large in order that the annular space between them may be small, the proportions shown in the drawin of the two tubular members being merely for illustration.

As illustrated, the water heating compartment is enclosed by theshell' 6, the bottom 61, and the apertured top 10, the shell 6 being surrounded by a jacket 1| to provide for more easily retaining .the heat in the water compartment, no particular insulating means being claimed in this case since such possibilities are of general knowledge.

At any suitable place within the water compartment within shell 6, a water softening apparatus is arranged as illustrated.

This softening apparatus has its own casing I l with a closing bottom l2. Two short pipe-sections I5 are provided for purposes more fully A spacing ring I6 is placed in the bottom end of the casing for supporting a filtering medium spacedly above the bottom within the casin and two pipe-couplings I! are provided for con-- necting other pipe sections 23 to the, upper ends of the pipe-sections l and for suitably compacting the filtering mediuml The filtering medium may consist of coarse and fine gravel, or any other suitable material, depending on the'purpose or use for which the medium may be intended; in the illustration, a layer of fine material 2| being disposed between the lower layer 23 and the upper layer 22 of coarse material; the several layers being held in place between the lower screening disc 18 and the upper screening disc I3; the whole beirig compacted, as already stated, between the spacing ring it and the pipe-couplings l'l.

Longer pipe-sections 23 extend from the cowplings l'l upwardly through the top end of the casing .II. In fact, the longer pipe-sections 23 and the shorter pipe-sections i5 form co-operating and supplementing means by which a layer of softening medium and other filtering layers, besides those already referred to, are held together within the casing II; and also whereby the cover 33 is held firmly against the top of said casing; the supplementing pipe sections serving also to conduct water in the proper direction and manner through the softening-apparatus when in operation.

A water-softening medium 24 extends from izigp'er screening disc I! to the level indicated at Provided. above the. level 25, a sectional supporting-ring 26, illustrated in Fig. 6, forms the support for additional filtering material; a

, screening disc 21 resting on the ring-sections 2641, a coarse filtering body 28 resting on the disc, a finer filtering'body 23 resting on body 28, and another coarse filtering body 30 resting above body 29, these filtering bodies being compacted together by another screening disc 3| under the filtering medium 28-43-30 from the top-end of the casing.

The filtering material and screens for the lower part of casing il may however be inserted from the top-end, and even while the casing is in the shell 6.

The sectional shoulder-ring 26 is made in its particular form, in two parts, leaving two conflange 32 of the cover 33. The sectional shoulderbelow the-upper end of the casing, by which the casing is secured in proper position within the shell 6, by means of the bolts 38.

From the foregoing, it should be easily understood that the different parts of the softening apparatus can be assembled while still outside of the water-heater; andalso-that the different parts can easily be removed, exchanged, or replaced even after the softener and heater have been assembled.

siderable spacings between the lateral ends 26:. on opposite sides of the casing II.

This serves to allow the insertion of the upper' disc IQ of the lower filtering material. The disc is simply turned fiat in the direction of the axis of the casing so that the disc may be passed through the spacings.

After passing through the spacings, the disc I9 is turned horizontally again, for proper locating over the top of the filtering material in the bottom of the casing. The couplings ll may be firmly secured to the lower ends of the pipe-sections 23 so that the couplings may be screwed down upon the pipe-sections l5 and therewith upon the disc IQ, for a proper compacting of the filtering medium. 4

The couplings may even be welded, in spots, to the ends of the pipe-sections 23, to thereby assure the desired disconnection from the short pipesections at any time that the lower filtering medium is to beremoved'or inspected.

The lower and shorter pipe-sections l5, too, may be welded, or spot-welded to the cap l2 in order to assure their remaining in the bottom of the casing when the upper and longer pipe-sections 23 are removed, as illustrated in Fi 3 at [5b. a

With the whole softening apparatus filled, or properly charged and sealed, the outside pipe connections may then easily be applied as illustrated. v

T-fittings 39 and 39a, and valves 40 and 4| are applied to the upper ends of the ipe-sections 23,

pass into the water heater by way of the valve 40 or the valve 4|, for purposes more fully described later on, the pipe-end 45 being the inlet for the whole combined water-softener and heater.

Other pipe fittings are provided; such as the T 46, valve 41, elbow 48, valve 49, union 50, communicating pipe SI, and discharge pipe 52. These represent the essential parts for the principal water passage through this combination softener and heater.

Softened water may be drawn by opening either the valve 41, or the valve 49; the opening of the valve 4'! resulting in a discharge of cool water in the direction of the arrow 53; while the opening of the valve 49 results in a passing'of the cool may be procured from this apparatus in a sofafter.

Before the softener is put into the heater, the.

fllteringmedium 2ll2 l--22 maybe inserted from the lower end of the casing II and the filtering material and screens may be clamped together between the couplings I1 and the cap nuts l4.

The pipe-sections 23 and I5 may then be con-- nected by means of the'cou'plings, ll.

At this juncture, the casing is turned upright, to allow and provide for the insertion of the soitening medium 24 and the additional layers of softened water into the heating compartment in the direction of the arrow '54.

From this it will be understood that cool water tened condition as well as heated softened water, for the purposes more fully described here- When the valves 41 and 4| are closed the fresh water will pass through the pipe fittings 43, 44, 42, 40, which is open, 39, into the pipe sections 23 and IS, on the'left hand in the drawing.

At the lowermost end of the left hand pipesection l5 apertures 55 are provided, by which the fresh water will enter the softenen'to then pass through the filtering and softening mediums 4, from which it escapes in the direction of the arrow 58, into the additional heating element 8 within the flue H], from which it re-enter the water heater near the upper part, as indicated plug 680 may be put into the inside of the pipe end, as illustrated in Fig. 4. Fig. 5 merely shows one of these changes adapted to the inclined bottom 61s, I

It also is merely a matter of choice to put the I apertures 56 in the left hand pipe-section instead at 59 by an arrow, to allow a drawing of hot softened water through the outlet pipe connection 52.

Water softeners are preferably cleaned and refreshed at suitable intervals. Some times, a mere flushing in the reverse direction of the normal flow is sufficient; while, at other times, the softening medium may have to be replenished.

Extra connections are therefore provided by which such flushing and replenishing can be accomplished; there being a pipe connection 60, an ejector 6!, a control-valve 62, a test-valve 63-, gsconnecting pipe M, and another control valve For merely reverse-flushing the softening apparatus, all the valves excepting 4| and 62 are closed, the test-valve 63 having a side communication with the connection so as not to interfere with the flow through that pipe-connection.

The reverse-flow, then, passes from the inlet at 45 through the valve 4i so asto let the fresh water enter through the apertures 56 from the top end of the softening apparatus, downward through the softening and filtering material through the apertures 55 into the left hand Pipes l5 and 23 and out of the softener by way of the valve 52.

A refreshing of the softening apparatus, by suitable salts, is accomplished by closing all the valves excepting 65, 55, and 52. The pipe-connection, controlled by the valve 65 is extended into a salt-solution holding container, not shown in the drawing since of no material importance to the described apparatus, ,and the fresh water is then allowed to act on the ejector M by way of the valve ti; and the pipeconnection it until the salt-solution is drawn from the container through the softening apparatus in the direction of the fittings ltl, 39, downwardly through the apertures 55, and upwardly through the apertures 55 after having passed through the filtering and softening mediums, to escape through the valve lit and the ejector ti.

The passing of the salt-solution can readily be tested by means of the test-valve 53.

When the several small illustrations in the drawing have been designated as modifications, it should really be understood that they, in fact, merely represent choices according to individual tastes, or may even be required under certain conditions, or in certain localities.

The welding of the lower ends of the short pipe sections We to the cap its at 69, as illustrated in Fig. 3, has already been referred to, and may be so indicated as mere choice.

Instead of the lock-washers and cap-washers it and it, there may be a nipple its welded into the bottom 2a, into which the short pipe-sections We are secured, as illustrated in Fig. 2, to be plugged as at 68. The short pipe-sections l5c may even be directly screwed into the bottom H20, and, if the bottom is not of sufficient thickness, a

of in the right hand pipe-section, so as to be in the inlet line, whereby the fresh water will be caused to spread over the disc 3| before passing through the filtering and softening mediums.

The apertures 55 are then, naturally put in the right hand pipe-section at the bottom instead of in the left hand pipe section.

Under certain conditions, this arrangement may even be of advantage, since the reversing flush will then come in an upward direction; and--since the flushing may be produced at a somewhat forced rate of velocity-the softening medium may be caused to loosen up, by rising to a suitable extent, and thereby shaking off matter that may have accumulated during the normal downward filtering and softening; the special spacing between the screening disc 21 and the normal level 25 being provided for that very purpose.

On the other hand, some one might suggest that during the upward passing of the water, it may absorb beneficial matter from the softening medium more readily when the softening matter is kept in a loose condition and actually shaken up and agitated while the water is passing through the softening'medium in the upwardly direction.

Nevertheless, it is a mere matter of choice, and should be so understood.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a water heater and softener, a shell of an elongated upright form with a bottom and top, means for heating the contents of said shell,-a flue extending from the bottom in an inclined position through the shell with an escape end above the top, a spreader having a communicating connection with the shell through the bottom of the shell for an intake and having another communicating connection with an additional heating element for an outlet-said heating element extending through a large part of the length of the flue with an outlet into the shell through the side of the flue near the top of the shell, and a water softening means in the shell approximately parallel to the flue and having an inlet and means to discharge into the shell, the shell having an outlet for water coming from the softening means.

2. In a water heater and softener, a shell of elongated form with bottom and top, means for heating the contents of said shell, a casing for a water softener in the shell and extending above said top, filtering mediums and softening mediums disposed in the casing, an inlet connection extending from the top of the casing through the softening and filtering mediums, an outlet connection having communication at a point above the softening and filtering mediums with the shell, and an outlet on the shell.

3. In a water heater and softener, a shell of elongated upright form with bottom and top, means for heating the contents of said shell, a

casin for a water softener in the shelland extion extending to a point below the filtering and softening mediums from the top of the casing, an outlet connection having communication with the interior of the casing at a point above the flltering and softening mediums and having other communication with the shell, an outlet for the shell, and means for reversing the flow through the filtering and softening apparatus. 4

4. In a water heater and softener, a shell withbottom and top, means for heating the contents of said shell, a casing for a water softener in the shell and extending above said top, filtering and softening mediums disposed in the casing, an inlet connection extending'to a point below the filtering and softening mediums from the top of the casing, an outlet connection having communication with the interior of the casing at a point above the filtering and softening mediums and having othe'r'communication with'the shell, an

outlet for the shell, means for reversing theflow through the filtering and softening apparatus,

, and means for supplying refreshing ingredients to the filtering and softening mediums.

5. In a combined water heater and softener, a

shell with bottom and apertured top forming the water heater, means for heating the content of said shell, a casing with supporting means for holding the casing in the apertured top in the shell, a softening medium in the casing, and communicating means between the interior of the shell and the interior of the casing for passing fresh water from the outside by way of said softener into said heater to be discharged therefrom in formof softened heated water.

6. In a combined water heater and softener,- a casing with a-flange on the outside near the top end, a shell with bottom and top, the top of said shell having an opening with securing means to removably receive the casing and by which said flange may be secured to the top of said shell, means for heating the contents of said shell, and communicating means between the shell and the casing for circulating water through the combined water softener and heater, there being a water softening medium in said casing.

7. In a water heater and softener, ashell hav-- ing a bottom and an apertured top, means for heating the contents of said shell, a casing for the softener, a supporting flange around said casing and near its top, means for securing said flange to the top of said shell and around the aperture in the top of said shell, 9. cup-like Q osure for the bottom of said casing, a spacings-ins at the lower end of said casing, a perforated disc above said ring, layers of filtering medium above said disc, another perforated disc above said filtering material, a pair of short pipes extending through the bottom closure and terminating just above the upper disc, coupling members on the'upper ends of said pipes, said members serving to compress the filtering material between said discs, said spacing ring separating the bottom closure from the lower disc and-forming a chamber therebetween, apertures in one of said pipes within said chamber, means for sealing the lower ends of said pipes and for securing them to the closure, a sectional supporting ring secured to the inside wall of said casing near its top, a pair of pipes by said couplings, perforations'in the upper end of one long pipe within the space above the upper screen, means for sealing the pipes in the cover and for clamping the top and bottom togather; one of the long pipes forming the inlet and the other the outlet of the casing, means for V delivering water from the softener directly to the exterior of the shell, and means for delivering water from the softener through the shell toflthe exterior of the shell. 7 WILLIAM J. TOWLES. 

